Transitional kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, white splashback, grey benchtop, subway tile splashback, exposed beam, medium hardwood floors, brown floor, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets and marble benchtops.

New Farmhouse in Franklin

Forte Building Group, LLC

This is an example of a large country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Nashville with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Julia Ave

Good Bones Design Build

Concrete Kitchen Countertops
Large contemporary kitchen in Sacramento with a single-bowl sink, medium wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and exposed beam.

All Electric Home - kitchen

Tali Hardonag Architect

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped kitchen pantry in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, panelled appliances, vinyl floors, with island, multi-coloured benchtop and exposed beam.

W Jewell - Modern Kitchen

BKC Kitchen and Bath

The original kitchen in this 1968 Lakewood home was cramped and dark. The new homeowners wanted an open layout with a clean, modern look that was warm rather than sterile. This was accomplished with custom cabinets, waterfall-edge countertops and stunning light fixtures. Crystal Cabinet Works, Inc - custom paint on Celeste door style; natural walnut on Springfield door style. Design by Heather Evans, BKC Kitchen and Bath. RangeFinder Photography.

Rays of Light

Aspen Leaf Interiors

For this ski-in, ski-out mountainside property, the intent was to create an architectural masterpiece that was simple, sophisticated, timeless and unique all at the same time. The clients wanted to express their love for Japanese-American craftsmanship, so we incorporated some hints of that motif into the designs. This kitchen design was all about function. The warmth of the walnut cabinetry and flooring and the simplicity of the contemporary cabinet style and open shelving leave room for the gorgeous blue polished quartzite slab focal point used for the oversized island and backsplash. The perimeter countertops are contrasting black textured granite. The high cedar wood ceiling and exposed curved steel beams are dramatic and reveal a roofline nodding to a traditional pagoda design. Striking bronze hanging lights span the space. Vertically grain-matched large drawers provide plenty of storage and the compact pantry’s strategic design fits a coffee maker and Mila appliances.

Mountain Chalet meets City

PC Designs LLC

Inspiration for a large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Denver with a double-bowl sink, marble benchtops, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, beige floor, black benchtop and exposed beam.

Small Drive Remodel

BANDD DESIGN

The kitchen and powder room in this Austin home are modern with earthy design elements like striking lights and dark tile work. --- Project designed by Sara Barney’s Austin interior design studio BANDD DESIGN. They serve the entire Austin area and its surrounding towns, with an emphasis on Round Rock, Lake Travis, West Lake Hills, and Tarrytown. For more about BANDD DESIGN, click here: https://bandddesign.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://bandddesign.com/modern-kitchen-powder-room-austin/

Sunol Homestead

Ridgecrest Designs

Settled on a hillside in Sunol, where the cows come to graze at dawn, lies a brand new custom home that looks like it has been there for a hundred years – in a good way. Our clients came to us with an architect's house plans, but needed a builder to make their dream home come to life. In true Ridgecrest fashion, we ended up redesigning the entire home inside and out - creating what we now call the Sunol Homestead. A multitude of details came together to give us the perfect mix of a traditional Craftsman with modern amenities. We commissioned a local stone mason to hand-place every river stone on the exterior of the house - no veneer here. Floor to ceiling window and doors lead out to the wrap-around porch to let in beautiful natural light, while the custom stained wood floors and trim exude warmth and richness. Every detail of this meticulously designed residence reflects a commitment to quality and comfort, making it a haven for those seeking a harmonious balance between refined living and the peaceful serenity of Sunol's idyllic landscape.

Higher Dorsley - view onto the beautiful kitchen

VESP Architects

A neutral palette of white walls and ceilings allow the timber structure, herringbone timber floor, and beautifully crafted timber joinery in the room to take centre stage. The kitchen island and units behind are all faced in fluted Oak panels. A brass kick plate at floor level provides a highlight of colour and visual break between the wooden floor and kitchen doors.

13 Palms Project

Canopy Signature Homes

Beach style kitchen in Jacksonville with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, black benchtop and exposed beam.

Boulder Kitchen Remodel

D2D Studio, Inc.

Boulder kitchen remodel for a family with differing tastes. He prefers craftsman, she prefers contemporary and mid century. They both love the result!

Galley Kitchen, Once Upon a Beam

Nancy Finneson | DeMane Design

A kitchen remodel started with a big challenge. The homeowner wanted a more open usable space. The kitchen was cramped, dark and didn’t accommodate two people. The result is a beautiful kitchen that took clever space planning. There was a supporting wall in the way of their dreams of an open kitchen. The space was split into two small rooms. For various reasons putting in a supporting beam was not an option. This was a “make it work” challenge. The layout was key to making this kitchen function and also feel open. The wall was removed between the split rooms, but it was necessary to leave a post in place so frankly the ceiling wouldn’t collapse. Many scenarios were considered before the final plan went forward. The supporting post was united into the design. Between the post and the wall, an open cabinet was incorporated. The open shelves are perfect for displaying and quick access for the chef’s cookbooks.

Floor to Ceiling Maple Book Matched Cabinets in White Quartz Kitchen

MAK Design + Build Inc.

This is an example of a contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sacramento with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, cement tiles, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Snowshoe Thompson

Emily Roose Interiors

A traditional kitchen with rough edge granite countertops and a large walnut island in the center. This kitchen features both open and closed storage options and a large built-in display cabinet. the sink is a textured apron front with a farmhouse styled faucet.

New Maple Leaf Kitchen

Phinney Ridge Cabinet Company

Sollera Fine Cabinetry Whistler (Shaker) door style Clear Alder stained in Natural
Mid-sized transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor, grey benchtop and exposed beam.

Weerona House

Demardi.

This Kitchen was relocated from the middle of the home to the north end. Four steel trusses were installed as load-bearing walls and beams had to be removed to accommodate for the floorplan changes. There is now an open Kitchen/Butlers/Dining/Living upstairs that is drenched in natural light with the most undisturbed view this location has to offer. A warm and inviting space with oversized windows, gorgeous joinery, a curved micro cement island benchtop with timber cladding, gold tapwear and layered lighting throughout to really enhance this beautiful space.

Modern Mountain Home

Bob Jung

Kitchen, Dining and Great rooms.
This is an example of an expansive modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Milwaukee with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, granite splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and exposed beam.

Red Cedar Lake House

Lundin Architects LLC

Large country l-shaped kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop, exposed beam and vaulted.

THE HEIGHTS

GONTERMAN CUSTOM HOMES

Design ideas for a mediterranean galley kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, white appliances, with island, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Kitchen with Medium Wood Cabinets and Exposed Beam Design Ideas

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to planning your kitchen design. Where do you even start? Gathering some inspiration in a photo gallery is always a good starting point, as looking at different kitchen designs often brings up ideas you haven’t even thought of yet.

Browse Photos of Kitchen Designs for Inspiration and Collect Your Ideas

You can browse through photos of all kinds of kitchen styles, layouts and sizes on Houzz to get started before jumping into any design software or contacting a local professional for help. Here’s a few considerations to keep in mind when planning your kitchen.

1. What Makes a Good Kitchen Design, and Why is it Important?

For starters, you want to find a balance between aesthetics and function. You may have heard of the ‘kitchen work triangle’, which refers to the space between your fridge, sink and stove. You want everything within easy reach when you’re working in the kitchen and look beautiful at the same time. It’s a good idea to take note of both when browsing our photo gallery.

2. Consider Your Space to Determine Your Kitchen Layout

Firstly, consider the space you have, and the limitations that come with it. Do you have a small kitchen and need to maximise your workspace and storage? Can you allow yourself some more space and a big island with seating? Are you designing your kitchen from scratch or renovating an existing design? Which appliances do you already own and what are their measurements? Are there windows you need to take into consideration when planning cabinets? How do kitchen, living and dining areas connect? Depending on your space and needs, you want to use a shape that suits you. U, G, or L-shaped kitchen, with or without island or peninsula? Know your dimensions, plan cabinetry carefully and consider the placement of your appliances. You don’t want to end up with a finished design, only for your significant other to question where the fridge is supposed to go. Consider from the start where your fridge, oven, microwave and sink goes to save yourself from starting again from scratch - remember the kitchen work triangle! You also want to plan the layout of your cabinets. Maybe you’re planning for a pantry and can do with less storage space in your kitchen, so that your design can be one without upper or lower cabinets for a different look. A corner cabinet can be a smart storage solution if you want to keep the look clean and simple.

3. Decide on a Kitchen Style, But Don’t Forget Practicality

You want the style of your kitchen to reflect your personality and taste. We have curated a large array of kitchen styles here at Houzz, from traditional to contemporary to transitional and everything in between. Consider what your cooking style is for a start - Italy is known for its cuisine, so italian kitchen designs are generally popular. Also consider ergonomics - depending on how much time you spend in your kitchen, the height of your counters can make a big difference to your overall health. You also want to consider colour and finishes of cabinets, countertops and splashbacks. Which colour do you want your cupboards to be? Simple, timeless white or rather making a statement in black? Maybe rather a rustic wood? Also consider the colour of your floor - if you have dark floors, you may want to keep cabinets lighter. You could also go for an all-white look and choose black appliances for contrast. Once you know which style you fancy, don’t forget how you will be using the space. You want to keep cooking in mind, as well as how easy to clean and maintain the space will be. How many cooks do you need to accommodate? Do you have kids around? How much storage do you need? Maybe you want to go for open shelves rather than cabinets and allow for easy reach of key items you use when cooking. Again - remember the triangle! Lastly, choose lighting that both enhances the look of your kitchen as well as your cooking performance, providing light in all the right places.

4. Be Conscious of Your Budget

No matter what you plan for your kitchen design, cost is always a big factor. Be sure to plan with your budget in mind. It may make more sense to go for a modular kitchen design rather than custom build. You can save a lot of money if you get at least 3 estimates from professionals before locking in the job. And don’t forget to allow a 20% buffer for emergencies. Once you are ready to hire a pro, our directory will help you find one, no matter where you are. So whether you're looking for an Interior Designer in Melbourne or an Architect in Sydney, you can be sure to find a qualified expert for the job!